Sure, there are some New Yorkers saying that Hurricane Irene is the "worst case of overreaction" they've ever seen but there are still plenty of people in other parts of the country who are dealing with the hurricane's very real aftermath —and in case your mother, brother, uncle, and neighbor haven't told you this yet, it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

Plus, even if you don't have a mortar and pestle, you gotta admit that the very idea of roasting garlic and making bean dip in the dark does sound pretty neat.